Bernstein plans a longer stay

17 June 2012 11:47

Viewed : 47

Football Association chairman David Bernstein has confirmed he would like to remain in the job beyond next year.

Bernstein celebrates his 70th birthday next May, after which he is due to stand down in line with FA statutes. Yet there is a widespread feeling he should be allowed to continue, having brought much-needed stability to the organisation and restored its credibility.

"I am enjoying it very much and the honest answer is yes (I would like to stay on)," he told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.

"But it is something I don't want to get involved with and will be decided by other people."

Bernstein rubber-stamped England's decision to base themselves in Krakow for the duration of Euro 2012, a move which has enabled the Three Lions to become "better tourists", in the FA's own words.

Much of this has been down to Hodgson's easy-going approach, which seems to have earned the respect of his players, a number of whom were backing Harry Redknapp for the job.

He has already proved himself a pretty good judge of a match situation too, with his decisions to select Andy Carroll for Friday's game against Sweden, and then introduce Theo Walcott off the bench, proving to be masterstrokes.

"I didn't know Roy hardly at all beforehand but he is a pleasure to deal with," said Bernstein. "All the things we hoped for in his early days are coming through.

"His experience is fantastic and the fact he has been involved in international tournaments before is beneficial. He is enjoying himself and that enjoyment is feeding through to the players."

Bernstein is still hopeful England will emerge successfully from their group. "We mustn't get too carried away. Ukraine are going to be very difficult opposition."